Hauritz and Hilfenhaus in, Krejza out

Australian off-spinner Jason Krejza was discarded after his poor showing in the first Test at Perth where South Africa chased down 414 to defeat Australia by six wickets.

Krejza picked up only one wicket in the game but conceded 204 runs. NSW off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who played the second Test against New Zealand has been named in the 13-man squad.

"The National Selection Panel consider that Jason is a potentially fine spin bowler for Australia, but our view is that in Perth we were unable to maintain pressure, and to successfully use our fast bowlers we needed to maintain that pressure at the spinners' end," Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the selection panel, explained.

"Jason has been notified of this reasoning and has been encouraged to continue to be a wicket-taking spin bowler but will return to interstate cricket to further those skills," he added.

The selectors have also added Tasmanian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus to the squad for the second Test starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

"Ben is in the middle of a successful Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield season for Tasmania and has been added primarily because of his ability to swing the ball. He also adds depth as a new ball bowling option," Hilditch said.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's triumphant squad returned home to a terrific reception on Saturday and coach Mickey Arthur said the pressure would be on his players when Australia visit for a return series next month.
"Australia will be here in three weeks and we're under no illusions they are really hurting and are going to be far angrier," Arthur told a news conference at Johannesburg International Airport.

Mitchell Johnson expectedly returns to the Australian squad for the remaining three ODIs against the Proteas while opener David Warner has been retained as well. Johnson who has suddenly been catapulted into the spearhead of the Aussie attack, in wake of the recent injuries to Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, replaces Queensland all rounder Ryan Harris who has been sent back to play the Twenty20 preliminary final against Victoria at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Australian hard-hitting batsman David Warner is all set to make his debut at the Bellerive Oval on Sunday in the second ODI against Australia after vice-captain Michael Clarke was ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a thumb injury.
Clarke played the first game at Melbourne but his injury has gotten worse and has been advised rest by the team physio.

Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the opening two ODIs of the Commonwealth Bank ODI series against South Africa after after scans revealed early stages of mild stress on his left foot.
Queensland all-rounder Ryan Harris has been chosen to replace him.

South African cricket captain Graeme Smith plans to hold off surgery for a chronic tennis elbow injury until after next month's home test series with Australia, he said on Thursday.
Smith told a news conference on his return to South Africa from Australia, where his side beat Australia in an away test series for the first time, that he would see a surgeon on Saturday to discuss the best course of action.